by Jack Lapauve – EM TV, Port Moresby
Four serving policemen in East New Britain have been issued suspension instructions after the Kokopo Committal Court laid charges of sexual assault and murder.
Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Operations, Jim Andrews, said the four were charged for sexual touching, sexual penetration and wilful murder in East New Britain Province.
It is alleged that a woman was sexually abused inside the Kokopo Police lock-up while in detention last month, while a detainee was allegedly beaten to death inside Kerevat Police station.
DCP Andrews said Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki issued instructions for the four serving members to be suspended and served with Serious Disciplinary Offence Reports (SDORs).
“Once the SDORs are served, they will receive Notice of Penalties (NOPs) effecting their termination from the Constabulary,” Deputy Commissioner Andrews said. “Commissioner Vaki has declared a zero tolerance level on such behaviours by members of the Constabulary.”
Mr Andrews says the four policemen will be removed from the Constabulary and will fight their cases as civilians in the criminal court. “The Constabulary will not harbour crime suspects. They committed very serious crimes and the law will deal with them,” he said.
The four men have been referred to stand trial at the National Court.
